Bologna are ready to welcome Carpi on Sunday at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara to continue accumulating positive results in this surprising Serie A campaign.
The home side have turned the tide since former boss Delio Rossi was sacked and new coach Roberto Donadoni took over. The Rossoblu have been undefeated in their last four matches, drawing against higher-ranked opponents such as Juventus and Fiorentina, and winning against Udinese, notwithstanding last week’s disappointing draw in Palermo.
The Falconi, on the other side, are struggling to get ahead in the relegation battle but have been winless in seven consecutive matches so far. They racked up four draws against Atalanta, Torino, Palermo and Inter and three defeats against Roma, Napoli and Fiorentina.
The Felsinei won the last clash between the two sides, in October, thanks to two defenders’ goals scored by Adam Masina and Daniele Gastaldello which overturned the situation after an opener by Gaetano Letizia. In that match, Lorenzo Lollo was sent off after two yellows.
The Carpi midfielder should start on the bench for this fixture, with the midfield composed by Lorenzo Pasciuti, Marco Crimi, Raffaele Bianco and Antonio Di Gaudio. Simone Verdi will play as Fabrizio Castori’s chosen trequartista behind the only striker, Jerry Mbakogu. Matteo Fedele will be missing from the Falconi lineup due to an injury.
Bologna’s coach Donadoni is hoping that his main defensive man Adam Masina is fit for the match, after a mild injury. The remaining defenders will be Ibrahima Mbaye, Domenico Maietta and last clash scorer Gastaldello. The Rossoblu will also feature a quick offensive trio composed by Emanuele Giaccherini, Anthony Mounier and Mattia Destro.
Form Guide: Bologna (L-D-W-D-D); Carpi (L-L-L-D-D)
Expected Starting XIs:
Bologna: Mirante, Mbaye, Gastaldello, Maietta, Masina, Donsah, Diawara, Taider, Mounier, Giaccherini, Destro.
Carpi: Belec, Zaccardo, Romagnoli, Gagliolo, Letizia, Pasciuti, Bianco, Crimi, Di Gaudio, Verdi, Mbakogu.
